Hand tool



y 29, 1945. c. A. PATE HAND TOOL Filed Jan'. 6 1943 2 Sheets-Shet 1- C. A. -PATE BAND T001.

Filed Jan; 6, 1943.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented May 29, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HANDVTOOLJ Charles A. Pate, Lufkin, Tex.

Application January 6, 1943, Serial No. 471,451

2 Claims. (01. 254-131) I This invention relates to hand tools.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a tool suitable for use in thewrecking or dismantling of building assemblies, timber, flooring, brick or masonry or the like, which is highly effective in use and which can be utilized to great advantage in many different ways in work of this character.

It is a further object to provide such a tool which can be utilized either as a sledge hammer or as a wedging or prying tool, in the nature of a pick, and for prying and separating assemblies, the tool being so constructed that it may be readily and conveniently operated for this pur pose at floor levels, on a vertical surface, and overhead as well.

It is a still further object to provide such a tool particularly adapted for prying and lifting operations which embodies its own fulcrum and is so arranged that with the tool in proper working position the tool handle clears low objects and extends into a convenient location for use by the operator where he can develop maximum effort with an advantageous leverage in any plane in which the tool may be used.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the specification, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation showing the tool constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view looking down upon the tool from the handle side thereof;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the tool from the right-hand side as shown in Figs, 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a schematic showing of several positions in which the tool may be used advantageously in dismantling a building structure,

for example; I

Fig. 5 is a similar schematic view showing the use of the tool in removing flooring; and

Fig. 6 is a further schematic showingof the use of the tool in dismantling a masonry wall.

Referring to the drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool head is shown at I0 as comprising an integral member having a hollow tapered shank portion I I within which there is received thewooden handle I2, the handle being suitably shaped and secured in place by the use of wedges or the like as commonly practiced. The handle is preferably long enough so that with the tool head resting on the floor, the top of the handle is in position the operator or user, and in such position that he can develop a maximum leverage and effective use thereof. I

At one side of the shank, an extension I4 is formed which is generally rectangular in crosssection and of substantial dimensions as to width and thickness. This extension is shaped to provide a polygonal end section I5, having for example an octagonal cross-section, the outer end' I6 of which is faced off or turned to give a rounded sledge-like working face. The mass of the extension is such as to provide proper weight and body for the use of the face I6 for all operations in the nature of a sledge hammer. Preferably the face I 5 is finished such that the plane of the face makes a right angle with the side surfaces of the polygonal section IS, the plane being parallel with the longitudinal plane through the axis of the handle.

On the opposite side of the shank II the tool is formed with a relatively long and narrow integrally extending arm 20. The thickness of this arm preferably tapers gradually toward its outer end,'as shown in Fig. 1 while its width preferably increases slightly from its inner portion to its outer portion as shown in Fig. 2. As shown the extent of the arm 20 beyond the shank is approximately three times the corresponding extent of the hammer end l4.

' The shape of the lower surface of the arm 20 is of particular importance since it is that sur face which forms the fulcrum about which the tool operates in the course of its use. It isimportant, therefore, that the outer boundary of this surface have a predetermined shape, in order that the tool may have the capacity for performing the type of operation desired, and to provide the desired extent of travel of the fulcrum over the full working stroke of the tool. For this purpose the surface 22 adjacent the shank defining the lower side Of the arm 20 is convexly curved, with a substantial radius of curvature which not cause the end of the tool to be raised beyond the desired levelbut which will provide a definite travel of the fulcrum point in use. This portion of the lower boundary surface continues outwardly from the central shank H for a distance comprising approximately half of the overall length of the arm 20.

Outwardly of the section 22' of the arm there is located an intermediate section 23 the lower surface of which is also defined by a curved surface 24 of relatively long radius, such as to provide a noticeable curvature. This radius may be the to be conveniently at the level of the hands'of same as that of curved surface .22 but is prefer- Iably made somewhat shorter to give a more rapid.

inclination and lift to the end-of the tool, and

. the arc is of such'length as to extendiover ap proximately half of the remaining portion of the arm outwardly of section 22 thereof. In any case .however curve 24 merges into the curve 22 and:

forms a smooth continuation of that surface such that the fulcrum point travels continuously from 1 1 the outer end portion up to a point adjacent the 1 shank.

' The terminal portion 25 of the armflisdefined by a lower surface 26 which as shown is prefer l ably plane, and tangenttothe curved sectional 24, this terminal portion having alength generally commensurate itself.

. The extent and with that of the portion 24 sects the angle between the horizontal line 28 and the vertical line 29. While-satisfactory re sults are secured with some variation in the anles so formed by this tangent line, it'is preferred that the complementary angles a and ,8 so} formed lie within the range of approximately;

- The tip of the 3B to'formxa'sharp working and cutting edge, the

planeof thebevel being slightly below the horizontal so asto givezan edge. of the desired sharp-: for properly performing its func ness and shape tion.

,fThe contourfof the inner boundary surface 32 of the armj isof less importance :as lZOiitSplB- l ciseshape'than the outer boundarygand'ispreferably 'formed substantially as indicated in the: drawing in order to "afiord proper 'sections throughout the length of the arm, and to give;

the proper weight distribution thereto. 1

Theweight and massdistribution of 'thetool' are such that it is balanced about all three axes with the center of gravitybeing located inter-- 'n ally of shank I 11, and within the end of wooden handle received therein. The entire body of the tool is thus used to perform useful work which ever end is being-utilized. For example, when the Sledgehammer end 'isused, the entire mass of the tool is made effective directly in line with the working face I6, and there is a minimum cf shock transmitted to the handle and to the hand. of the user; a similar condition occurs-when the} tip 30 is being driven into the work? l {In'the use of the tool the sledge hainmer endi tool is beveled off as shownat radii of curvature of elements 1 22 and 24 are preferablysuc'h that th tangent1v to surface 26, indicated at 21, substantially bi-. 20-

handle more closely approaching a vertical position, the leverage of theworking end of the tool also increases because of the curve of relatively long radiusalong the lower curved surfaces 24 and 22 providing ahighly effective operating condition over the entire working range of the tool.

These operations are shown schematically inv Fig. 4 where the tool I0 is shown in the three positions for illustrating purposes. Thus for dismantling the upright member or stud 40 from floor 4 l the tool is moved along the floor with the terminal portion 26 guiding the same and with e the handle [2 at such angular positionas to be above andclear of low lying objects and conveniently available for use by the operator. To

separate the brace element 42, the tool may be operated along the vertical face of stud 40 either from above or below with the handle in either case making substantially the same angle tothe vertical and equally accessible in each position. To separate'the overhead beam M; the toolis again guided along the ,vertical surface by'its terminal porition 26 into engaging position where V the handle t2. occupies a position with its axis at an angle of from about 40 to .50 to the vertical such that it can be readily utilized in the most efiicient manner. I

The tool is especially adapted for the purpose of removing fiooringcther tongue and grooved lumber, lipped lumber, etc., as shown in Fig.5. With a tongue and groovearrangement, it is customary to apply the upper flooring 50 over the lower layer of flooring 51 and with the nails 52 driven atan angle.

piece in an inclined path, generally parallel to the direction in which the nails'52 were driven.

The tool of the present invention is particularly adapted for such use, since in its normal operation, the tip portion 36 is caused to travel toward the handle in response to the travel of the fulcrum point about the lower curved surface, 'of arm 2E As a result the tip'notonly moves upwardly, but also moves in thedirection toward the handle as pressure is applied thereto, this combined motion providing for the raising .of the flooring in approximately the angle of the: nails 52,; so that thenails are withdrawn andthe' tongue and groove disengaged witha minimum of damage taking place. When the handle of the tool 'is broughtflto a verticalposition-with l6 may be used in the normal mannenthe' tool} having adequate weight and capacity for efiec-Z tive application in-this manner. The tool is} similarly effective in the use of the tip end 381 as a pick. 'WheH the tool is to be used as a" wrecking toolfor the dismantling of timbers, flooring, masonry'andthe 1i-ke,"the arm portionf 2-0 is made use of. This is done by first en'gag g ing the tip end '30 of the arm'between the'parts desired to be separated. If at fioorle-vel, the tool is conveniently held'in the hand with the handle [2 at an angle of between 140 and 50 to the vertical, such that the surface '26 is parallel with and can bemoved along thefloor level with as much force as desiredinto wedging or engagin position. Upon engagement of the tip '30, pressureis applied to the "handle with the curved surface 24 bearing against the floor, and forming a fulcrum about which the tool-turns. This turning of'the tool causes a shifting of the fulcrum from an outer point toward the handle and as the-leverage of thehandleincreases, with the shiftin'g acticn produced by t e p y n Bi 0 thetool is-highlyg effective for the purposes Edescribed; a! v l The tool is likewise particularly useful in dismantling masonry structures :such as brick walls;

As shown in Fig; 6 thebricks 69 areseparatedby the mortarqjointslil, .and the tip-39 of the; tool maybe force'd intc the joint far enough to e fiect a wedging, engagement therein. .In this position the :tool cccupies the;position substantially (as shownv in .Elig. "6; and; can-convenientlybe lifted to ixcomple'te the separation ef rapid "and easy. manner.

In order to removethe fiooring with the minimum. of damage thereto it is important to provide forliftingthe edge of each I the bricksflin-la I The invention therefore provides an extremely simple and yet highly useful wrecking tool which combines the usefulness of a sledge hammer and" additional new and desirable qualities of a pick or crowbar-like action, with a combined over-all eifect which contributes to the ease and maneuverability of the operation of the tool, and adapting the same to a wide range of applications along these lines.

While the article herein described constitutes a'preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to this precise article, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1

l. A hand tool of the character described for prying, wrecking and the 1ike,'comprising a shank portion adapted to receive a handle, an elongated and relatively narrow arm extending laterally outward from said shank, the lower surface of said arm beginning at the shank having a relatively long radius of curvature over an inner portion thereof forming a moving fulcrum having a substantial lateral travel when the tool is in use, the radius of curvature of said lower surface being decreased at an intermediate portion forming a continuation of said moving fulcrum with a decreased lateral travel for the fulcrum and an increased angular rate of vertical travel for the end of the tool when the toolis in use and providing for elevating the end of said tool at a substantially higher angular rate than afforded by said inner portion, and an outer terminal portion on said arm and having a substantially plane lowersurface located relatively remote from said shank and extending upwardly relative thereto and in the general direction of said handle but at an acute angle with respect thereto forming a prying end which rises to a substantial elevation when said fulcrum moves adjacent said" shank.

2. A hand tool for the character described for prying, wrecking and the like, comprising a shank portion adapted to receive a handle, an elongated and relatively narrow arm extending laterally outward from'said shank, the lower surface of said arm beginning at the shank having a relatively long radius of curvature over an inner.

portion thereof forming a moving fulcrum having a substantial lateral travel when the tool is in use, the radius of curvature of said lower surface being decreased at an intermediate portion forming a continuation of said moving fulcrum with a decreased lateral travel for the fulcrum and an increased angular rate of vertical travel for the .end of the tool when the tool is in useand providing for elevating the end of said tool at a substantially higher angular rate than afforded by said inner portion, and an outer terminal portion on said arm and having a substantially plane 

